Great! You are finally going to do it. You decided to become a very special person. By becoming a blood donor. We're happy about that and we've created this website especially for you - so you'll know what to expect when you give blood for the very first time.

 

1. Registration - A Red Cross volunteer will ask you for some information, such as your name, address, and social security number, in order for us to maintain a record of your donations. (The donor fills out the registration form themself.) (This part is, of course, painless but boring. It'll be more fun if you bring a friend - especially a blood donor.)

2. Health and History questions, which provide the Red Cross with a rough health history report.

3. Temperature - Another volunteer nurse will check to see if your temperature is within normal limits. (Sometimes we reverse steps 3 and 4 - just to see if you're paying attention.)

4. Hemoglobin - A Red Cross volunteer will take a drop of blood from your finger to test it for iron. (Just to make sure you have enough to share.)

5.Health History -Another volunteer Red Cross nurse will check your blood pressure and review your health history report. (Some of the questions are very personal but they are asked in complete privacy. Mum's the word!)

6. Plastic Collection Pack - Yes, you have to take ALL three or four connected bags into the donor room with you. (Don't worry, you only have to fill one. Whew!)

7. Donor Room - A Red Cross staff nurse will do the venipuncture. This may pinch just a little for a second or two. The other five to seven minutes it takes to donate will be very pleasant - we practice TLC. (The hardest part here is holding your arm in the air after the donation is finished.)

8. Refreshments - A Red Cross volunteer will escort you to the refreshment area where you'll enjoy something to eat and drink. This will help your body adjust to the slight change in fluid balance. (It also gives us a chance to ask you if you'd like to help us again.)